Analysts: Timing, intended message of ‘Save Malaysia’ rally reason for low turnout, doesn’t resonate with Malaysians
PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari emphasised that the rally aimed to protest the DNAA granted to Zahid, who faced 47 charges of misappropriating RM31 million from the charitable organisation he founded, Yayasan Akalbudi. Fadhli Shaari argued that Zahid’s DNAA had disillusioned Malaysians, necessitating the rally to “Save Malaysia”.
(MMO) – The poor turnout at the “Save Malaysia” rally on Saturday has raised questions about the timing and the message the organisers of the protest had intended to send out, according to political analysts.
The observers said the lack of top leaders leading the demo was also a factor as the organisers battled to compete with other events held in Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Day. The rally, which took place at the Kampung Baru Jamek Mosque on Saturday, aimed to protest perceived political interference in the corruption trial of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but failed to gain significant momentum or support.
Many were surprised by the lacklustre turnout, given that the event was organised by an umbrella group of Malay Muslims with the backing of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. It coincided with the 60th Malaysia Day — a day meant to commemorate the country’s founding in 1963. The organisers had intended to attract a large gathering, despite lacking permission from the police.
Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR), expressed the view that the rally’s slogan and theme failed to resonate with Malaysians.
“One reason for the poor turnout is that despite the ‘Reformati’ theme, which sounds very attractive to many, the prime minister had nothing to do with court decisions, and the reasons were entirely the attorney general’s.”
He also noted that the choice of having the protest on Malaysia Day might have deterred some from participating, as it’s a day meant for celebration.
“Another reason could be it’s Malaysia Day and most Malaysians would feel remiss if they joined the protest perhaps out of fear of being disrespectful on a day they are meant to celebrate Malaysia. In the end, if they wanted to protest Zahid’s DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal) it turned out to be the wrong strategy and ultimately was the fatal blow in their plan,” he said.
A coalition of Malay Muslim organisations, including Ummah, Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia, and Perkasa, came together to organise the rally under the banner of the Save Malaysia Movement. The movement had reportedly garnered support from PN parties like PAS, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, and Gerakan, with Parti Pejuang Tanahair later announcing its participation.
PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari emphasised that the rally aimed to protest the DNAA granted to Zahid, who faced 47 charges of misappropriating RM31 million from the charitable organisation he founded, Yayasan Akalbudi. Fadhli Shaari argued that Zahid’s DNAA had disillusioned Malaysians, necessitating the rally to “Save Malaysia”.
Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, noted that PAS, a dominant party in PN, had demonstrated mobilisation capability in the past. He concurred that, compared to previous rallies like those concerning the 1MDB scandal, there appeared to be political and scandal fatigue in the current political climate, discouraging people from attending rallies.
Ei Sun identified two factors contributing to the low turnout, conflicting messages about the rally and improved tactics by authorities to counter such events.
“Perhaps not as much as say 1MDB, as there is not only political fatigue but scandal fatigue as well nowadays.”
